Possible Identities

Possible Identities

Matthew 16:13-14, NIV

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Setting the Scene

Comparisons are an almost inevitable part of life. People compare a baby’s features with those of his parents as they note genetic connections. A rising politician is compared with earlier leaders to demonstrate the influences that have molded the new public servant. In Jesus’ day, spiritual notoriety usually led to identification with previous heroes of faith.

Contemporary readers might assume the disciples were responding based on some accepted possibility of reincarnation. They were not. The disciples were not suggesting that famous people relived their lives in the present, but there were rumors that resurrection might be possible.

Some people did speculate that the late John the Baptist was back. No sooner had John the Baptist been murdered by Herod (Matthew 14:1-12) than the guilt-ridden king suggested that reports he was getting about Jesus were indications that John had come back to life. Actually, as John the Baptist had predicted, Jesus was fully engaged in the ministry for which John had been the forerunner.

For those seeking to describe someone with unusual godly presence, common comparisons included Elijah (see 1 Kings 17–21; 2 Kings 1–2), Jeremiah (see 2 Chronicles 35–36 and the book of Jeremiah), and other prophets. People were saying, “This Jesus does things that remind us so much of Elijah that maybe the old prophet has come back to life!”

It is good for people to try to understand Jesus’ identity, but it is an error simply to equate Jesus with someone else. He is unique. Others may remind us of him, but Jesus himself is without equal. We’re destined to be like him, but there will never be any doubt about who is the original and who are the copies.

Getting Personal

When you think of someone being like Jesus today, what characteristics come to mind?

How has God been changing you to be more like Jesus?

Jesus is the ultimate standard of comparison. We haven’t figured out who Jesus is if we never get beyond comparing him with others.

Talking to God

Thank God for the people in your life who remind you of Jesus or who have showed you some aspect of Jesus by living in a Christlike way. Don’t hold back from asking God to work in you to make you more and more like Jesus as the days go by.